Monday, August 03, 2009

Clash on Healthcare Highlights Two Conflicts

One is obvious, the other is gaining in public awareness.

While the current attempt at government run health care is becoming more and more unpopular, it is only one issue. Another issue that I am glad to see people becoming more aware of is the way in which Congress conducts it's business. I don't think members of Congress understand this yet.

The recent 'no time to read the bill' arguments made by John Conyers and Arlen Specter (via Ace) suggest to me that they think the only problem is that people don't understand how the legislative process works. They might be right to think that voters don't know how Congress goes about it's business but they are wrong if they think that voters will approve of passing 1,000+ page legislation without having read and taken time to consider all that is involved.

This conflict is more important than just health care.

John O adds: The above argument made by Conyers and others is reflective of the fact many Congressmen believe their job is to rule their constituents rather than to represent them. Consider:

Doug Thornell, a spokesman for Assistant to the Speaker Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), said House leaders are urging their members to continue holding public sessions, even if it means they’ll be shouted down and have it all replayed on YouTube.

“We have encouraged our members to use everything in their arsenal to communicate with their constituents,” said Thornell. “They know what works best in their districts. More than anything, they have to stay on the offense and not get distracted by stupid Republican gimmicks.”

In other words, the people's representatives are supposed to lecture their constituents rather than listen to them.